Women's Basketball Defeats Ohio Dominican 65-58

The Northwood University women's basketball team earned a 65-58 win over Ohio Dominican Saturday afternoon (January 11).

Northwood is now 6-6 overall, 4-4 in the GLIAC.  ODU falls to 4-8 overall, 1-7 in the GLIAC.

Both teams struggled offensively in the closely-contested opening half.  NU shot 26.7 percent from the floor (8-30), while the Panthers finished at 20.0 percent (7-35). There were seven ties and 12 lead changes in the opening half, in which neither team led by more than three points.  ODU eventually led 24-23 at halftime.

Northwood's offense performed much better in the second half, which was a key to the win.  NU shot 51.7 percent from the floor in the final 20 minutes, going 15-29 overall. The Timberwolves led by eight points at one point in the second half, but the Panthers cut the margin down to 50-48 with less than six minutes to go. But NU guards Sarah Susan (Grand Rapids, Mich./Byron Center) and Lauren Robak (Clarkston, Mich./Our Lady of the Lakes) connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Timberwolves back on top by eight at 56-48. ODU got no closer than six the rest of the way.

For the game, Northwood finished at 39.0 percent overall (23-59) while Ohio Dominican finished at 30.9 percent (21-68). NU went 4-19 from 3-point range (21.1 percent) and 15-22 from the foul line (68.2 percent).

Three Timberwolves finished in double figures, led by Susan (17) and Robak (16). Gabrielle Rivette (Fenton, Mich.) had 13 points, five rebounds and four assists. Aleigha Wylie (Hemlock, Mich./Midland) came off the bench to finish with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Northwood returns home to take on Wayne State Thursday night (January 16). Game time is set for 6 p.m.